Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Geographical Range

Northern South America

Habitat

Forests, woodlands, plains, savannahs

Scientific Name

Epicrates cenchria cenchria

Conservation Status

Common

The Brazilian rainbow boa is the largest of the rainbow boas, reaching six or more feet in length. Rainbow boas get their name from the multicolored sheen of their skin, caused by light reflecting off tiny ridges on their scales.

Rainbow boas prowl for food at night and sleep during the day. Although they usually rest in a tree or bush, they spend most of their waking time on the ground. They feed on birds, their eggs, small mammals, lizards, and frogs. Like all boa constrictors, rainbow boas kill their prey by suffocating it as they squeeze the victim's body with their muscular coils.